Hewlett-Packard launches server for Internet market

by Lucy Ness, VNU Newswire

Hewlett-Packard (HP) this week made its deepest plunge yet into the Internet market, with the launch of Internet and intranet servers and software.

The products are designed to offer a complete framework for organisations of all sizes which want to establish intranets or link to the Net.

The Domain servers are based on the Risc-based HP9000 range but come bundled with the Domain Business Suite. This is an integrated suite of Web tools customised by HP but based on Netscape's Suitespot Web server software, HP Openmail messaging products, and an application management system built round HP Openview.

This last will enable companies to manage, through a browser, all the components of an intranet, including Netscape's server software databases, networks and servers.

Available immediately, the servers will range in price from $10,000 (#6,097) to $80,000 depending on the model. The Domain Business Suite will also be available as a standalone product, which can be run on any HP server hardware configuration.

In January, HP plans to release a Webmaster software suite for its Netserver hardware. This will be aimed at the Internet needs of smaller companies. The software will be based on Microsoft's NT 4.0, which contains Internet Information Server and will include Microsoft's Internet Explorer 3.0 and its Front Page authoring tool.

HP Netserver Webmaster is priced at just under $10,000 and the company is also planning a Netscape version.

HP has also launched the Domain partners' programme to encourage co-marketing efforts with Internet software developers and partners, and to establish training programmes for its channel partners.